The proceedings of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia were concluded following an extraordinary session held from January 20 to January 22, 2026, under the presidency of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
During its sessions, the Holy Synod examined the matters on its agenda and, among other decisions, resolved the following:
- It approved the Regulation for the prevention and handling of sexual misconduct, based on the corresponding General Regulation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
- It approved the Internal Regulation of the “Friends of the Chapel of Saint John Prevelly” for the Holy Diocese of Perth.
- It studied the issue of Ukrainian-speaking parishes of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Australia and decided to officially inform the Venerable Mother Church regarding their canonical status.
The Holy Eparchial Synod also expressed particular satisfaction and emotion over the decision of UNESCO to designate February 9, the anniversary of the death of Greece’s national poet Dionysios Solomos, as the “World Greek Language Day,” following coordinated efforts by the Greek Government.
The Holy Archdiocese of Australia dedicates this day to the teachers who have taught, and continue to teach, the Greek language in the Fifth Continent with consistency and self-sacrifice. Furthermore, on the eve of this observance, Sunday, February 8, a Trisagion service will be offered in all churches of the Holy Archdiocese for the blessed memory and eternal repose of the departed teachers of the Greek language.
Finally, the members of the Holy Synod extended their heartfelt wishes to Archbishop Makarios of Australia, President of the Holy Eparchial Synod, who recently celebrated his name day. They expressed their gratitude for his God-pleasing ministry and inspired initiatives, through which the Local Church of the Fifth Continent is experiencing a period of substantial renewal at every level.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
